If you like it and have the cash,buy it. I don’t see these going down in value anytime soon. I have some I thought I paid a bit much for in the past,but ya know, they’ve all gone up in value.Some are up a lot.
Mixmaster Value Question for WWII 1911 A1 Collectors
- Thread starter bill-in-texas
- Start date
gregintenn
Member
Anybody here have a comparable example they’d sell for less?
OP
Thanks for all the contributed information and opinions.
Prior to posting here, I also posted the same question on a dedicated 1911 site and got very little response. (?!) Go figure.
I’d put this fine group of members up against any, as far as overall knowledge and active firearm interest goes.
-Bill
One Last Look
Prior to posting here, I also posted the same question on a dedicated 1911 site and got very little response. (?!) Go figure.
I’d put this fine group of members up against any, as far as overall knowledge and active firearm interest goes.
-Bill
One Last Look
I purchased a CMP gun off my friend a couple years ago, 70s era replacement colt slide, awful bead blasting and heavy light gray park job. It sold for more than the one you're looking at quickly, even though it was less desirable and prices have climbed since then.
If the $1300 isn't a burden and you want it, buy it up. That's a fair to good price for you, and I'd not expect them to decline. If you hate it, you will get your money back without issue and will likely pocket enough for a decent dinner, or more If you're waiting awhile.
If the $1300 isn't a burden and you want it, buy it up. That's a fair to good price for you, and I'd not expect them to decline. If you hate it, you will get your money back without issue and will likely pocket enough for a decent dinner, or more If you're waiting awhile.
VaTom
Member
Thanks for all the contributed information and opinions.
Prior to posting here, I also posted the same question on a dedicated 1911 site and got very little response. (?!) Go figure.
I’d put this fine group of members up against any, as far as overall knowledge and active firearm interest goes.
-Bill
One Last Look
I like the checkered backstrap and checkered hammer. By late in the war production both the hammer and the backstrap became serrated on all manufacturers. Sine the USS&S had an early contract I would assume that the checkered backstrap is original to the frame. My 1943 Ithaca has a checkered hammer and a serrated backstrap.
What magazine(s) come with it? All WWII contract magazines have a stamp on the toe (inside) indicating which of several manufacturers made them. Could be a G , S, or R (General Shaver, Scovil, Risdon). Colt magazines made by another contractor have a C prefix
Having a WWII magazine(s) would effect the price as they have become expensive. Without a WWII magazine could be a negotiating point.
OP
Tom,
I looked and now I forget what letter it had (just one magazine).
I have a couple more correct magazines at home plus a pristine pair of reinforcement ring Keyes stocks. I won’t swap out these stocks since everything on this example is consistent with 1943 production, as near as I can tell.
Anyone know about the 12-groove Colt barrel?
(I believe it to be rather uncommon.)
-Bill
I looked and now I forget what letter it had (just one magazine).
I have a couple more correct magazines at home plus a pristine pair of reinforcement ring Keyes stocks. I won’t swap out these stocks since everything on this example is consistent with 1943 production, as near as I can tell.
Anyone know about the 12-groove Colt barrel?
(I believe it to be rather uncommon.)
-Bill
The only reason I have this cherry US&S example is that I'm an old fart and bought it back in the middle ages. It was produced in 1943, has the original DuLite finish and all the proper components and markings. As far as I can tell it reeks of originality. VERY hard to find today, and I will only part with this one when they pry it from my cold dead fingers....
John
VaTom
Member
Sounds like you did your homework.
I did replace the recoil, firing pin and magazine springs in my 1943 Ithaca as I wanted to shoot it from time to time. Kept the originals for the next owner.
Tom
I did replace the recoil, firing pin and magazine springs in my 1943 Ithaca as I wanted to shoot it from time to time. Kept the originals for the next owner.
Tom
gregintenn
Member
I shoot this old Remington Rand. I really like it.
To your point I'm pretty sure that most who buy these relics aren't buying them because they can cut the center out of a target at 15 yards. That's ridiculous. They buy them because they are genuine military surplus and touchstones to the past. I carried one as shore patrol and on watch in the Navy 50 years ago. The one I carried probably had seen the arsenal rebuild a few times also. I've never fired mine and never will. I have a Colt Gold cup for that. I suppose if one never served they probably wouldn't understand that.
I also have a 43 Inland that I rebuilt myself. I shoot that one.
Last edited:
OP
Tom,
Inserted in the US&S frame (appropriately) was this:
-Bill
Photo Lightened to Enhance Image
Last edited:
sigp220.45
US Veteran
I jumped into the first round of CMP 1911s. My random number was in in the late 10,000s. A retired FBI buddy, a Vietnam vet, got a very low number and was called right away. He picked the highest grade and got a like new 1911A1, with a Colt frame, an unmarked replacement slide, and a fresh coat of Parkerizing. He was very disappointed and buried it in the back of his safe. He wanted a pistol that looked like the one he carried in Vietnam.
My turn came about 10 months later. I asked for the middle grade, and got exactly what I wanted - a Remington Rand slide and frame, correct barrel, no finish, dents and dings galore, and the rack number still on the grip safety. No sign of a rebuild to be seen.
I hope round three is open to prior applicants. I will jump in again (after doing the onerous paperwork, which takes all of 20 minutes) and when I get the call I will go for the lowest grade and when they call I will say “the rattier the better”.
Edited to add: I shoot it every month, at least.
My turn came about 10 months later. I asked for the middle grade, and got exactly what I wanted - a Remington Rand slide and frame, correct barrel, no finish, dents and dings galore, and the rack number still on the grip safety. No sign of a rebuild to be seen.
I hope round three is open to prior applicants. I will jump in again (after doing the onerous paperwork, which takes all of 20 minutes) and when I get the call I will go for the lowest grade and when they call I will say “the rattier the better”.
Edited to add: I shoot it every month, at least.
Attachments
Last edited:
AJ
US Veteran
To your point I'm pretty sure that most who buy these relics aren't buying them because they can cut the center out of a target at 15 yards. That's ridiculous. They buy them because they are genuine military surplus and touchstones to the past. I carried one as shore patrol and on watch in the Navy 50 years ago. The one I carried probably had seen the arsenal rebuild a few times also. I've never fired mine and never will. I have a Colt Gold cup for that. I suppose if one never served they probably wouldn't understand that.
I also have a 43 Inland that I rebuilt myself. I shoot that one.
Never carried one, but I collected them at one time. Out of all of those there is maybe one collector grade. The rest were all rebuilds of some sort. All gone now, except one that my Uncle bought for $20.00 back in the 1960's.
Attachments
Last edited:
14 rounds at 7 yards, standing with two hand unsupported grip. Way better than the 1911A1 I was issued in 1984.
AJ
US Veteran
14 rounds at 7 yards, standing with two hand unsupported grip. Way better than the 1911A1 I was issued in 1984.
The M1911A1's can be good shooters. I was the Guard Chief at a Marine Barracks. We had 50 M1911A1's in our inventory. Some shot fair and others not so good. The 1stSgt. and I were into building our own M1911A1's and accuracizing them. Our Armorer was a kid straight out of Armorer's School and could take one apart and change parts. We decided to teach him a thing or two. We had a parts bin that was a yard long and three rows high. The drawers were filled with spare parts from slides, barrels and all the other small parts for the M1911A1. The 1stSgt. and I rebuilt them all. Started by fitting slides to frames and bushings to barrels and then to slides. Every piece that could be fitted was. We showed the Armorer what we were doing, in another words he was back in school. When we got finished we had 45 M1911A1's that could hold at least a 2" or less group. The other five had frames that needed to be replaced, something that was not allowed at our level. Nothing wrong with a rebuild as long as it is done right!
Last edited:
kbm6893
Member
I got a CMP Service Grade for $1050 and I’m very happy with it. These guns are the real deal. The reason they’ve been rebuilt is they saw use. The GI in Vietnam and Korea had a mixmaster on his hip. Mine is right and shoots quite well. I’d take one of these before any modern 1911.
AJ
US Veteran
You forgot WW II.
kbm6893
Member
I didn’t forget. Can’t imagine many 1911’s were rebuilt in WW2, unless they were earlier 1911’s. My Colt was built in March of 1944. Doubt it needed a rebuild in 16 months. I would imagine most of those rebuilt were WW 1 1911’s.
Either way, mine hung from countless GI hips between 1944 and 1976 when it was rebuilt and put away. Mixed up parts and a parkerizatiin don’t change that.
Last edited:
sigp220.45
US Veteran
Quite a few guys in the CMP draw got guns with 1911 frames, or
1911 frames that had been “upgraded” with A1 mods.
I’m always happy when guys try to poo-poo the “originality” of CMP 1911s that come directly from the armed forces of our country. More for me!
1911 frames that had been “upgraded” with A1 mods.
I’m always happy when guys try to poo-poo the “originality” of CMP 1911s that come directly from the armed forces of our country. More for me!
AJ
US Veteran
There were some that received battle damage and were picked up on the battlefield that were rusted/dirty. See the picture in ost # 21.
